All that Matters

My family is all that matters.  I have learned a great deal about families and what helps a family stay strong together.  A marriage that a woman and man strive hard at, to love and to cherish one another is a great start.  No marriage is perfect, but when Mike and I work together to help one another, support, and love unconditionally that is a solid base to have a family work.  In "The Divine Institution of Marriage" in January 2014, it is stated, "Marriage is far more than a contract between individuals to ratify their affections and provide for mutual obligations.  Rather, marriage is a vital institution for rearing children and teaching them to become responsible adults."

President Hinckley quotes from The Family: A Proclamation to the World, "Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children.  "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalm 127:3).  Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve on another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live.  Husband and wives-mothers and father-will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations."

Our kids teach me so much and are amazing examples to us often.  They are hard working, patient, and loving.  We are all learning together to make it back to heaven to see our Heavenly Father again.  I look forward to the day when I can say, "I did my best and tried my hardest to live the way my Savior wanted me to live my life."  President Hinckley, a prophet of the Lord, stated this from the Ensign, July 1997, "Never forget that these little ones are the sons and daughters of God and that yours is a custodial relationship to them, that He was a parent before you were parents and that He has not relinquished His parental rights or interest in these His little ones.  Now love them, take care of them.  Fathers, control your tempers, now and in all the years to come.  Mothers, control your voices; keep them down.  Rear your children in love, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  Take care of your little ones.  Welcome them into your homes, and nurture and love them with all of your hearts.  They may do, in the years to come, some things you would not want them to do, but be patient, be patient.  You have not failed as long as you have tried.  Never forget that."  What a beautiful reminder for all of us that are trying our best to raise these little people that we have been blessed to have in our homes.

What a great experience this has been to put together this blog.  I have learned so much in this class and really appreciate the words of our prophets and apostles.  Our Heavenly Father and His Son love us with an indescribable love, and we need to ALWAYS remember that.  I know this gospel is true.  I know that Joseph Smith went to a grove of trees, at the age of 14, and spoke to Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ.  I am so thankful for his bravery and the courage it took to teach so many of the gospel and I cannot imagine the persecution he and his family endured.  I am thankful for a living prophet on the earth today, President Monson, to lead and guide us in this stressful and scary time on the earth.  I know I am loved by my Savior.  I know He loves each and every one of us!  The gospel is my life, and I try hard to do what is right each day.  I am thankful I can repent and start new and for the blessing it is to know of the Resurrection of our Lord.   I love my family with all my heart and so grateful for their patience and love for me.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.